Summary

Description

The Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis can reach 1.2 m in length. It is uniformly dark chocolate brown to golden brown in color. Like similar species it has no anal fin and the pelvic fins are positioned far back under the second dorsal. It can be identified by its short, stocky appearance and its very short snout. Its body, unlike similar species, does not taper abruptly from the pectoral region. It also has very small spines on both its dorsal fins. The tail is short but broad and the rear edge of its upper lobe is notched.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Found off the western coasts of Ireland and Scotland as far north as the Shetland Isles.

Global distribution

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Habitat

The Portuguese dogfish is a bathydemersal species found on continental shelves and abyssal plains from a depth of 150 m down to over 3000 m.

Depth range

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Identifying features

Up to 1.2 m in length.

Uniform dark to golden brown colour.

Stocky build with very short snout.

Doesn't taper abruptly from pectoral fin.

Small spines on either dorsal fin.

Additional information

No text entered

Listed by

Further information sources

Bibliography

Clarke, M.W., Connolly, P.L. & Bracken, J.J., 2001. Aspects of reproduction of the deep water sharks Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centrophorus squamosus from west of Ireland and Scotland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 81, 1019-1029.

Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fisheries Synopsies, 125, 1-249

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